feature image: pezula interiors & design monarchy

by Rose McClement

Marica recently posed an interesting question to our social media audience. Before publishing the post, we had a brief chat about it. Like we generally tend to do.

The question was “Do you swap out your home’s decorative accessories or scatters seasonally?” I didn’t really give it much thought at the time, because I knew my own answer as being “NO, I don’t“.

I knew that I wasn’t even in the slightest bit inclined towards such a move. I have a friend who does that, but then she is a seamstress and likes to sew new covers for her cushions and other little things.

Me, on the other, I’m no seamstress and have always had a bad relationship with a sewing machine.

It was only when the answers from my friends started rolling in, that I stopped to notice my own resistance to something like this. Yes – what I had put down as my own lack of interest, was actually resistance. I saw others offering one or two of my own type of “Nah, why should I?” kinda comments. Others said, “I don’t have the storage space“- a fair response. Yet, when I stop and scratch a little bit further, that answer falls by the wayside. Scatter cushion covers can be stored in your linen cupboard, along with your other linen goodies – one would not need a lot of space.

A few of my friends had taken the time to comment, and I’d say the majority voiced the same reply: “I keep it the same all the time“. In other words, day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out, year in and year out – I keep the same décor accessories in place. Kinda like X marks the spot for X. 

Whoa, hold up here!! I am not judging them and their way of being in their home. Not at all – I am doing the same thing remember. The only difference is that I like moving my (same) decorative accessories around the space. I tend to move the cushions from one sofa to the other and shuffle the decorative items around a bit. But – that is about it! No seasonal cover changes for me.

Okay, you might be asking yourself: “So what is this decorator banging on about?!” Why is this even worth writing about? Is there really any value or benefit in switching up your décor accessories occasionally? The truth is, that despite the fact that I don’t indulge in this practice, it doesn’t minimize the value and appreciation of it. There is real value to be had. Not only from a practical point of view but also aesthetically, emotionally, and mentally! Really?! From scatter cushions?

Do I really have to be satisfied with the same ole same ole all year round I asked myself? Then the ‘dig deeper’ type questions started to rise to the surface. Once I began to see and own my reluctance, I had a shift in thinking. 

So, let’s do a bit of self-exploration together. Just easy-does-it self-exploration, done with a hint of playful curiosity. Ask yourself the following without being self “judgie” or self-justifying: 

What is really holding me back?  Is it something I want to do or even need to do?

Do I like what I have here? Does it make me feel good in this space? Or would something new and fresh make me feel even better?

Am I putting up with what I have got going here?

What have I got to loose by not switching up accessories?

Now, which one or more responses in the list below do you connect with? Remember – not self judgy-ness!

I like what I have got going right now. It took me a while to get the right accessories and I don’t feel the need for change.

Trends come and go so quickly. No need to follow those.

My spending plan can’t cope with this extra unnecessary expense.

I have no storage facility.

I don’t know what to do, what to switch up, or even where to begin!

It’s going to take time and energy to decide on the items and change – and I don’t have that to give.

It is what it is!

My husband / family like what there is now. 

Why bother – the family just mess it up anyway.

I prefer the comfort of familiar items.

I have to wonder what are the chances that in truth we need to own the fact that the only thing that we are resisting might well be CHANGE!

Ah – there it is!! There is the real culprit that is lurking in the shadows, not wanting to be seen or heard. That word that shall not be spoken! CHANGE!!  

You might say: “Oh, for Pete’s sake, don’t be silly! How on earth can one view being uninclined towards switching up décor accessories as an indication of resisting CHANGE?!” Well, the possibility could exist! I certainly wouldn’t discount it. In our line of work, we often encounter resistance along these lines – in all shapes and forms.

We are only all too aware of the fact that life is very full and busy for most folk. The last thing anyone needs is to direct their attention to small changes. Even easy peasy changes are unwelcome.

What is important for me is this: small changes are needed to power us towards the bigger changes. It gets us outta our comfort zone and willing to entertain change on a regular basis.

Sadly, in my own life, I observed that because I resist change, I begin to “put up” with dissatisfying situations. It all stays the same. REALLY! Is that what I want?  I don’t think so. It seems that the question really is much bigger than merely switching up decorative items.

Enough said for now. Lots to think about and explore. More along these lines in the next post.

Ciao,